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“I will make no promise of the kind.”
“Miss Bennet, I am shocked and astonished. I expected to find a more reasonable young woman. But do not deceive yourself into a belief that I will ever recede. I shall not go away until you have given me the assurance I require.”
“And I certainly never shall give it,” Elizabeth declared, rising as she spoke.
Lady Catherine rose also, and they turned back. Her ladyship was highly incensed.
“You have no regard, then, for the honor and credit of my nephew! Unfeeling, selfish girl! Do you not consider that a connection with you must disgrace him in the eyes of everybody?”
“Lady Catherine, I have nothing further to say. You know my sentiments.”
“You are then resolved to have him?”
“I have said no such thing. I am only resolved to act in that manner, which will, in my own opinion, constitute my happiness, without reference to you, or to any person so wholly unconnected with me.”
“You refuse, then, to oblige me. You refuse to obey the claims of duty, honor, and gratitude. You are determined to ruin him in the opinion of all his friends and make him the contempt of the world.”
“Neither duty, nor honor, nor gratitude have any claim on me, in the present instance. No principle of either would be violated by my marriage to Mr. Darcy. And regarding the resentment of his family, or the indignation of the world, if the former were excited by his marrying me, it would not give me one moment’s concern—and the world in general would have too much sense to join in the scorn.”
“And this is your real opinion! This is your final resolve! Very well. I shall now know how to act. Do not imagine, Miss Bennet, that your ambition will ever be gratified. I came to try you. I hoped to find you reasonable, which you clearly are not. But depend upon it, I will carry my point.”
In this manner, Lady Catherine talked on until they reached the awaiting carriage. Then, turning sharply, she added, “I take no leave of you, Miss Bennet. I send no compliments to your mother. You deserve no such attention. I am most seriously displeased.”
Good riddance,Elizabeth fumed silently, her heart pounding as the carriage rolled away. Yet, beneath her momentary relief, a deeper unease settled in. The audacity of Lady Catherine’s visit had left her reeling. Elizabeth could not help but worry, and the tumult in her mind only worsened as she fretted over how Mr. Darcy might think or feel if he ever heard of it.
